Abstract: Prior to the formation of new metastases, a large number of cancer cells released from the primary tumor enter the dormancy period. Once the dormancy is broken, tumor cells will recover the capability of proliferation. In recent years, various hypotheses and mechanisms of tumor metastasis have been studied. Primary tumor resection is considered to be an important factor to break tumor dormancy state. It is recognized as an important reason to promote tumor metastasis. The improvement of surgical technique and further study on the mechanism of dormancy may provide new ideas for the treatment of metastatic tumor.

Key words: Neoplasm metastasis, Surgery procedures, operative, Dormancy period